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Easy Tricks to Dry Clean Clothes With a Little Time and Effort at Home
Buying expensive and delicate clothes is something most of us love indulging in, but with it comes great responsibility. We may often find ourselves torn between washing the expensive garments at home and sending them to a dry cleaner. Well, dry cleaning not only burns a big hole in the pockets but also does not provide one with the surety that their clothes would not get ruined. So, what is the option that you have? Well, you can actually dry clean your delicates with the least amount of effort and time at home. If you wish to know some easy tricks of dry cleaning the clothes at home, we suggest that you go through the following article.
How to Dry Clean Your Clothes at Home
Here are some simple and effective ways to dry clean your expensive clothes at home:
Hand Washing
Following are some steps you should take when hand washing delicate clothes:
Read the label carefully because all delicate clothes come with washing instructions. If the label reads ‘dry clean only’, then it is a wise thing to send it to the dry cleaner. But if reads ‘dry clean’, you can consider washing it at home too.
Do a patch test of a small section that is usually hidden or not seen when you wear the garment. If the colour remains intact and the texture does not change, you may wash it at home.
Use cold water and mild detergent to clean the garment. Gently rub the garment and refrain from harsh or vigorous scrubbing. Also, do not twist the garments tightly to squeeze extra water.
Air-dry the garment on a hanger or put directly on the clothesline. Do not leave it to dry under direct sunlight as it may fade the colour of the garment.
If only a part of the garment needs cleaning, you can even opt for spot cleaning. This method involves only cleaning the dirty part of the garment and not the whole garment. You can soak a soft cloth in some liquid detergent, gently clean the area with water, and air-dry the garment.
Machine Washing
Here are some instructions you should follow when washing clothes in a washing machine:
If the garment is made of nylon, spandex, polyester or cotton fabric, you can try washing it in a washing machine.
Again, look for the wash care instructions mentioned on the label. If it states ‘dry clean’ instead of ‘dry-clean only’, you can consider a machine wash.
Turn the cloth inside out and put it in a mesh bag that is designed for washing delicate clothes.
Always use cold water when washing delicate clothes in the washing machine. Warm or hot water may result in fabric damage.
Use a shorter cycle instead of prolonged or longer cycles to avoid extended exposure to water.
Use a gentle or soft cycle for your delicate clothes. Also, wash lighter and darker colours separately.
Avoid drying the clothes in the dryer as it may lead to shrinking or damaging of the texture or fit of the clothes. Dry the clothes on a hanger or on the clothesline.
Refrain from exposing woollen and other delicate clothes to direct sunlight. Dry them in a shaded area.
Kitchen Hacks for Removing Stains
Apart from using laundry detergents and other fabric cleaners, you can also use various easily available kitchen ingredients to clean your expensive clothes. Here are some easy kitchen hacks for removing stains:
To remove a wine stain from clothes, you can dilute some vinegar by adding water or you can dilute soda with water and apply it on the stain. You can use this hack to get rid of grease or coffee stains from clothes as well. Make sure you apply it on as soon as the clothes get stained.
For fighting tough stains on clothes, baking soda, vinegar and salt work like magic.
Oil stains on clothes can be managed well by using salt.
Rubbing corn starch on oil stains can also help in getting rid of the stains.
Using Steam
If your favourite silk sari or cashmere sweater just needs some gentle and basic cleaning, steam cleaning is one of the best resorts you can opt for. Steam works well in cleaning woollen and silk clothes, and it is also great for gently cleaning off dirt from other expensive and delicate clothes. Here is what you need to do:
Take any good steam cleaner and put a fabric cleaner in it.
Gently run it over the garment that needs to be cleaned.
Leave the garment on a flat surface for drying and get a shine on your delicate clothes.
FAQs
If you have certain questions regarding dry cleaning clothes at home, here are some frequently asked questions or FAQs answered for some detailed knowledge:
1. Which Clothes Need Dry Cleaning?
Well, most clothes that are labelled ‘dry clean’ or ‘dry clean only’ can be washed with some extra care at home only. Sometimes manufacturers only put these tags thinking that this the best way to take care of the garments, but in reality, dry cleaning may spoil the fabric and colour of the garments. However, there are some garments that require only expert guidance for cleaning and cannot be hand washed at home. These materials or fabrics include fur, leather, suede or rayon. These fabrics do not respond well to water and it is best to give such clothes to a dry cleaner for washing. Also, dry cleaning a coat or clothes that come with embellishments can get tedious at home and may also spoil the garment. It is best to send these clothes for dry cleaning.
2. Are There Any Alternatives to Dry Cleaning?
Yes, there are many options or alternatives that you can opt for rather than sending your clothes for dry cleaning. You can hand wash the garments, spin the garments on a gentle cycle, steam clean the clothes or use home dry cleaning machines for the purpose. However, the fabric of the garment is the major deciding factor for which method of cleaning can be used. If it is silk or woollen clothes that we are talking about, we can opt for any of the above-mentioned options. However, when it comes to leather, fur and other such delicate materials, amateur handling at home may lead to the garment getting spoiled. Under such circumstances, dry cleaning is the ideal choice for cleaning the garment.
3. Is Dry Cleaning Better, as Compared to Washing?
While garments such as socks, undergarments, shirts, sheets, etc. respond well to washing, there are fabrics such as rayon, triacetate, acetate, etc. that have the tendency to shrink on coming in contact with water. Though you can ignore the ‘dry clean only’ label on the garment and wash it at home, this may amount to taking a risk, as washing may spoil the garment. So, the best option is to choose the cleaning technique as per the fabric or material of the garment. If there are some clothes with too many layers, have lots of pleats or are simply difficult to iron, send them to your dry cleaner.
4. Can I Wash Silk Clothes Even if They Are Labelled ‘Dry Clean Only’?
Yes, most silk clothes can be washed at home - even the ones that come with the ‘dry clean only’ tag. However, silk is a delicate material and it is essential to wash them carefully. If you are wondering how to dry clean clothes at home naturally, all you need to do is take some extra care that includes using a mild detergent, cold water and not twisting the garment. Refrain from using harsh chemical cleaners and do not soak the garment in water for long. To remove excess water, the garment can be placed flat between two towels, allowing them to soak extra water.
You can easily dry clean your clothes at home with some safe and easy tips steps. Follow these simple and easy tricks and wash your expensive clothes at home!
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15 Joyful Water Games and Activities for Kids
There is no denying that children love the water. Even the little ones enjoy splashing about in the pool, and it is a great family activity and an opportunity to increase bonding. The water is also gentle on children’s bodies, which reduces the risk of getting hurt considerably.
Water Games for Children
Which kid doesn’t enjoy splashing about in water? With summer having set in, here are some fun water games:
1. Water Bottle Relay
With lots of running involved, it’s a great way to make sure your kids get some exercise.
What Your Will Need
3 large plastic water bottles
One large nail and a hammer
6 buckets
Water
How To Play
Gather up all the kids in the neighbourhood and divide them into three equal teams. Mark a starting line and an end line about 15 feet away from the start line. Make each team stand in a straight line behind the start line. Give each team a bucket full of water and one plastic bottle with 4-5 holes at the bottom (use the nail and hammer for this). Place one empty bucket for each team at the finish line. The objective of the game is to fill the empty bucket at the end line using only the water bottle while only carrying the bottle lifted above the head. A child fills the bottle, holds it above her head and runs to the finish line to her team’s assigned bucket and empties out the bottle. She then runs back and gives the bottle to the next child in her team who must do the same. The team to first empty out the bucket with water entirely and fill the empty bucket wins.
2. Water Gun Tag
This rather simple game instantly becomes a favourite of everyone who plays it.
What You Need
One water gun
How To Play
Water gun tag is a play on the regular game of tag. Whoever is ‘it’ gets a bucket full of water and a water gun. This kid tags other children (and even adults) with a squirt of water.
3. Water Balloon War
A water-based version of paintball.
What You Need
Lots of water balloons
Water
Food safe colouring – Blue and Red
Two unbreakable cups in two different colours. Bonus points if the colours are blue and red
How To Play
Get two buckets full of water. Mix one bucket with the blue food dye and the other with red dye. Gather all the children and divide them into two groups - Red and Blue. The red team will fill their balloons with the red water, while the blue team makes water balloons with blue water. Demarcate an area for each team which houses the team’s cup. The objective is for each team to retrieve the other team’s cup while using the water balloons as ammunition. Any kid hit and dyed with the other team’s colour must stop playing. The first team to retrieve the other team’s cup wins.
4. Duck Duck Splash
This is a watery take on the classic game of Duck Duck Goose.
What You Need
Water balloons
How To Play
As in the original, the children sit in a circle. Whoever is ‘It’ takes a water balloon and walks around the circle calling duck at each child. When they are behind the child they want to tag, they yell ‘Splash’ and throw the water balloon on their head or back. The person tagged must then chase the first kid and try to catch her before she goes and finds her place in the circle.
5. Bull’s Eye
Check the accuracy of your kids through this game.
What You Need
Chalk
Sponges – one for each child
Permanent marker
Bucket of water
How To Play
Mark circles on the ground with chalk and write points in the centre of each circle. Give each child a sponge with his or her name written in permanent marker. Each child soaks the sponge in the bucket and aims at a circle. Once it lands, they get the points and can occupy that circle. At the end of stipulated time, whoever has the highest points, wins.
6. Water Dodge Ball
Great for kids who love to spend time in the pool.
What You Need
Beach ball
Coloured rope
How To Play
Make two teams and tie a rope in the middle of the pool in order to separate the two teams. Each team takes turns throwing the beach ball at the other team’s members who must try to swim away from the ball. If the ball touches a team member, then they will be out. Whichever team has the last man standing, wins? To make this game more interesting, do not get the team members who are out to get out of the pool. Instead, they can push away the ball from active team members in order to keep the survival rate of their team high. However, they can only use their elbows to do so.
7. Water Money
This game is ideal for kids who already know how to swim and want more practice with their underwater swimming abilities.
What You Will Need
Lots of change in coins
How To Play
Get the children into a circle in the pool. Toss in coins in the centre of this circle. The children will dive towards the coins and retreat how many ever they can in a span of ten minutes. The kid with the most amount of money wins. The best part, the kids get to keep the money they have retrieved.
8. Water Balloon Cricket
Just like normal cricket but with water balloons as the ball instead of a regular ball.
What You Will Need
A sponge or plastic bat
Water balloons
How To Play
The batsman has to be careful while hitting the balloon ball or they will be soaked, and the fielders must be careful while catching and throwing the ball to team members. The only rule? The bowler must toss the balloon ball gently.
9. Water Volleyball
The water-version of volleyball
What You Will Need
A small beach ball
A net
How To Play
Set up the net in the middle of a swimming pool and divide the kids into two teams. The rest of the game follows the same rules as that of volleyball.
10. Water limbo
What You Will Need
Water Hose
How To play
This is played exactly how traditional limbo is except that here we do not use a limbo stick. Instead, use the hose to create a line of running water. You can increase or decrease the height to adjust for difficulty levels.
Water Activities for your Child
Maybe the above games aren't what your child wants. Here are a bunch of water activities that your child could try instead:
1. Water Treasure Hunt
This is one of the best water activities for pre-schoolers as they will be engrossed by how the melting ice reveals their favourite toys!
What You Will Need
Ice tray
Small water-resistant toys
Water
Freezer
How To Play
Place a single toy in each mould of the ice tray. You can, in fact, ask your child to pick the toys. Pour water into the tray and freeze overnight.
2. Painting on Water
This game goes well for kids who are intrigued by visuals rather than physical activity.
What You Will Need
Large glass tray
Permanent marker
Warm water
How To Play
Ask your child to draw a simple figure on the bottom of the glass tray. Then gently pour in the warm water and watch as the water magically lifts up the drawing and floats on top of the water! Your child can use different colours to create a more stunning effect.
3. Ice Cube Painting
Bring out your child’s artistic side!
What You Will Need
Ice trays
Water
Food colouring
Plain white t-shirts
How To Play
Place water in an ice tray. Place different food dues in each mould and mix well. Let the coloured ice set overnight. Give your child a plain white t-shirt and different coloured ice cubes. Watch as they use the melting ice to paint a funky t-shirt!
4. Slip and Slide
A fun activity where you can join in if you so wish!
What You Will Need
Large flex cloth
Running water from a hose
Pegs
How To Play
Place the flex on a slight slope leading to the pool and secure to the ground with pegs. Make sure that the hose is always running water over the flex. Kids can run up to the flex and slide all the way down to the pool.
5. Swimming Pool Scrabble
This activity helps to improve your child’s vocabulary as well as lung capacity.
What You Will Need
Sponge sheets
Permanent Markers
How To Play
Cut out 2inch by 2inch sponge squares. Write out individual alphabets using the permanent markers on the sponge squares. Throw them into the pool. Call out a word and get your child to bring the alphabets that spell out the word. You can increase the difficulty based on their age and skill.
Safety Tips for Playing Water with Kids
Under no circumstances should you leave your child unattended near the water. This holds true even if you are turning away for a minute or the water in question is the bathtub.
Make sure that all the kids understand the rules of playing in the swimming pool. Tell them that under no circumstances will ducking underwater be tolerated.
Make sure that any and all caregivers are trained in giving CPR.
Ensure that your child always goes to a pool with lifeguards present and accounted for, do not let them swim at the deep ends of the pool if there are no trained lifeguards present.
Make sure your child is always within eye-shot if you aren’t in the water and they don’t swim to a place you or their caregivers can’t see.
Playing with water is always a fun and enjoyable time for kids and adults alike. This summer, be sure to use SPF protection and keep your child safe from sunburn. Before starting any activities, ensure that your child has all his shots up-to-date and has medical clearance.
Also Read:
Indoor Games for Kids
Summer Activities for Kids
Outdoor Activities for Kids Read more
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Coloured Water Cups DIY
Colours are so magical, aren't they? See what you can create with colours with this fun activity!
Identifying colour is a big part of any child's life. It is one of the first things mothers begin to teach their babies through placards and crib mobiles. Colour sorting follows soon after and then finally mixing of primary colours to get secondary colours. In this activity we will see how something so simple as pouring coloured water can create new colours. It was exciting to us as adults, can you image how much your child will enjoy it?
You will need
6 Plastic Cups
Food colouring in yellow red and blue
Water
Step-by-step Instructions
1. Arrange your 6 cups neatly.
2. Pour 6 drops of food colouring in three cups and mix in a little water.
3. Next mix 2 of the colours into an empty cup. Continue this with the remaining colours.
4. You'll find that yellow and blue makes green, red and yellow makes orange and blue and red makes purple.
5. You won't need to throw out the colours, you can use these for a neat tie-dye experiment!
Messiness Score
5
Level of Difficulty
Medium
Parental Involvement
Medium
Skills Enhanced
Colour sorting, pouring, colour identification
You will observe your child doing...
Your child will ask questions on how this happens
It will be fun because...
You can use the colours in baking or for a tie-dye experiment too! Read more
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A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is better to avoid this at this time and also if you want to eat burger then it is better to make it a home . Thanks and take care
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